Terrible, incompetent service- we waited for almost 2 hours and never got seated. We were forced to stand the entire time, while being pressed against the wall and jostled by other people. They only had one small bench that three people could sit on, while there were at least one hundred people waiting for tables. The restaurant??s very small waiting area was so crowded that the police came three times to tell them that they were violating fire codes. They not only could not tell us how long the wait would be, they continued to allow people to enter after the police had advised them not to. Some people walked in and got tables right away, even though they were not on the list or were put on the list after our party of eight. They apparently knew someone at the restaurant, as no reservations were being taken. We were told at one time that they would be able to seat us in half an hour, but after another hour had passed, they still didn??t have an idea as to when we would be seated. At another point, they told us that there were three parties ahead of us then 10 minutes later they told us there were five parties ahead of us. Even after a party of 22 and another party of 16 cancelled, they could not find room to seat us or anyone else. If they were this busy, they should have turned people away politely and not continued to allow people to enter the restaurant waiting area and to sign up.
Many people were angry for not being seated and for being lied to, and the hostess just argued with them and yelled at them. At no time during the almost two hours that we waited did a manager ever make an appearance. They left a young woman by herself to deal with the angry crowd. When we realized that we might have to wait another hour to be seated, we left for another restaurant where we were promptly seated and served. My first clue for the bad service and bad management at El Paraiso should have been when I called them and they hung up on me- twice! I was only asking the for the restaurant hours and if they had a Mariachi band. We will never go there again and recommend that you spare yourself the pain also.

0

by cjells at Citysearch
May 11, 20091El Paraiso Mexican Restaurant

El Paraiso - terrible service - dont go!

★☆☆☆☆

Terrible, incompetent service- we waited for almost 2 hours and never got seated. We were forced to stand the entire time, while being pressed against the wall and jostled by other people. They only had one small bench that three people could sit on, while there were at least one hundred people waiting for tables. The restaurant??s very small waiting area was so crowded that the police came three times to tell them that they were violating fire codes. They not only could not tell us how long the wait would be, they continued to allow people to enter after the police had advised them not to. Some people walked in and got tables right away, even though they were not on the list or were put on the list after our party of eight. They apparently knew someone at the restaurant, as no reservations were being taken. We were told at one time that they would be able to seat us in half an hour, but after another hour had passed, they still didn??t have an idea as to when we would be seated. At another point, they told us that there were three parties ahead of us then 10 minutes later they told us there were five parties ahead of us. Even after a party of 22 and another party of 16 cancelled, they could not find room to seat us or anyone else. If they were this busy, they should have turned people away politely and not continued to allow people to enter the restaurant waiting area and to sign up.
Many people were angry for not being seated and for being lied to, and the hostess just argued with them and yelled at them. At no time during the almost two hours that we waited did a manager ever make an appearance. They left a young woman by herself to deal with the angry crowd. When we realized that we might have to wait another hour to be seated, we left for another restaurant where we were promptly seated and served. My first clue for the bad service and bad management at El Paraiso should have been when I called them and they hung up on me- twice! I was only asking the for the restaurant hours and if they had a Mariachi band. We will never go there again and recommend that you spare yourself the pain also.

The food quantity was excellent I couldn't finish my plate. The ingredients were not as fresh as they could have been (I ordered some seafood plate). The place needs a pretty good cleaning. I guess if you're really hungry this is the place to go for Mexican.

2

by nacazo at Citysearch
July 29, 20084El Paraiso Mexican Restaurant

Good quantity, quality could be improved.

★★★★☆

The food quantity was excellent I couldn't finish my plate. The ingredients were not as fresh as they could have been (I ordered some seafood plate). The place needs a pretty good cleaning. I guess if you're really hungry this is the place to go for Mexican.

El Paraiso is the absolute best in terms of food, atmosphere, and authenticity. I have been to most the "good" Mexican joints in town. This place is packed on the weekends and for good reason. The tortillas, guacamole, steak, seafood, and chicken, are as good as it gets, the mariachi band is top notch, the attitude is chill, and most the big-name heavy weight fights are ordered. This is where actual Mexicans come to eat, although the staff and patrons are completely freindly, this is not your typical gringo mexican joint (On the Border, Blue Bonnet, El Parral, 3 Margaritas, etc..), this is as authentic as it gets for Denver, CO. The entres range from about 15-30. It is across the lake from Lakeside Amusement park, go check it out ASAP.

2

by therealthing at Citysearch
February 24, 20085El Paraiso Mexican Restaurant

Real Authentic Mexican

★★★★★

El Paraiso is the absolute best in terms of food, atmosphere, and authenticity. I have been to most the "good" Mexican joints in town. This place is packed on the weekends and for good reason. The tortillas, guacamole, steak, seafood, and chicken, are as good as it gets, the mariachi band is top notch, the attitude is chill, and most the big-name heavy weight fights are ordered. This is where actual Mexicans come to eat, although the staff and patrons are completely freindly, this is not your typical gringo mexican joint (On the Border, Blue Bonnet, El Parral, 3 Margaritas, etc..), this is as authentic as it gets for Denver, CO. The entres range from about 15-30. It is across the lake from Lakeside Amusement park, go check it out ASAP.